AARP to offer free income tax return filing assistance to locals

Free income tax return preparation and electronic filing, for both state and federal returns, will be available again this year for mountain-area residents, offered by the AARP Tax-Aide program.

Services are provided free.

Tax returns are prepared by and certified volunteers. The returns are prepared on site, then electronically filed the same day.

Tax help is offered to persons of all ages — one does not have to be a senior citizen or a member of AARP. In fact, Tax Aide prepared first tax returns for several 17- and 18-year-old students who had their first jobs.

Tax Aide service locations are:

In Madera, 711 Nebraska Ave., every Thursday beginning Feb. 8 and continuing through April 12. Appointments are available there and also for two Mondays in Chowchilla by calling Sarah at 706-1868.

In Oakhurst, at the library, Tuesdays between Feb. 6 and April 7.